Eddie Howe celebrated 300 games in charge of Bournemouth by declaring ‘I didn’t want the job in the first place’.

Howe, the Premier League’s second longest serving manager behind Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger , will take charge of the Cherries against high-flying Liverpool on Sunday.

In two spells at the helm he has led the club from the brink of relegation out of the Football League into the Premier League for the first time in their history.

But reflecting on when he was first asked to take over the managerial reins on New Year’s Eve 2008, Howe said: “I was almost a little reluctant to take the job seven years ago.

“I wasn’t seeking it and wasn’t desperate for the opportunity at that stage in my life.

Howe was handed the reins on the South Coast in 2008

“I remember getting the call and I thought it was a joke to be honest. I thought I was too inexperienced, too young, but I got asked to take it. That’s very different to most managerial starts – and I hadn’t even started yet!”

Howe will celebrate his milestone with the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s title-chasing Reds this weekend.

The former England under-21 ace was just 31 when he was first appointed after his own playing career had been ended by a crippling knee injury.

Howe, now 39, reckons rescuing Bournemouth from the brink of dropping into the National League, which would have resulted in bankruptcy, in his first season in charge is among his biggest achievements.

The Cherries chief poses with the Championship trophy in 2015 (Photo: Reuters)

Asked to look back on his career in the dugout so far Howe, considered for the England job in the summer, said: “I’d say the big memories, although it sounds clichéd, are the promotions we’ve won.

“They’re satisfying moments, you’ve achieved something long lasting - but I wouldn’t put any one ahead of the other.

“You’ve got the Great Escape too, battling under an embargo with the team spirit of the group was another incredible memory.

Adam Smith has hailed Howe's contribution (Photo: Getty Images)

“Our promotion from League One was special as we had a difficult start and managed to achieve something and of course, the Championship promotion, winning a title for the club.”

Defender Adam Smith has led the players’ tributes to Howe, saying: “The gaffer has done a lot for me. He took me here when I was 19, on loan from Tottenham and then signed me full time.

“Now here I am playing regularly in the Premier League, I appreciate what he has done for me and hopefully can repay that on the pitch.”